Caracas: A tense security incident unfolded in Venezuela’s capital on Tuesday night when sustained gunfire was heard close to the presidential palace after reports of unidentified drones flying over the area, according to international media monitoring groups.
Witnesses in central Caracas said shots were fired near the Miraflores Palace at around 8 pm local time, with the sound of gunfire echoing across nearby neighbourhoods for close to three-quarters of an hour. Several residents also reported seeing aerial activity overhead, believed to be drones or small aircraft, during the disturbance.
Local accounts indicated that parts of the city experienced temporary power outages as the incident was ongoing, adding to public anxiety. While authorities have not released an official statement detailing the operation, a source cited in media reports said security personnel opened fire after detecting unidentified drones near the presidential complex.
The situation was later stabilised, though there was no immediate confirmation regarding damage, arrests, or injuries.
In Washington, the White House moved quickly to distance itself from the episode. A spokesperson, quoted in US media reports, said the United States had “no involvement” in the events near the Venezuelan seat of power.
The incident comes at a particularly volatile moment for Venezuela. Political tensions have been high following the swearing-in of Delcy Rodríguez as interim president, a move that followed the capture of former president Nicolás Maduro in an operation reportedly led by US authorities over the weekend.
Maduro appeared before a federal court in New York on Monday, where he entered a plea of not guilty to multiple charges, further fuelling uncertainty and unrest back home.
Authorities in Caracas have yet to provide a detailed briefing on Tuesday night’s gunfire, leaving many questions unanswered as the country grapples with an unfolding political crisis.
